Formerly a British colony known as Nyasaland, Malawi became independent on 6 July 1964 and since 6 July 1966 has been a republic, part of the Commonwealth.
The country was for a long time subject to the authoritarian regime of Hastings Kamuzu Banda until the referendum of 14 June 1993 which introduced a multi-party political system. Based on the Constitution of 18 May 1994, the President of the Republic, who is also head of the government, is elected by direct suffrage every five years, as is the National Assembly (made up of 193 deputies).

Economic growth is negatively affected by frequent droughts and infestations, rapid population increase, lack of infrastructure, an unreliable public sector and general inefficiency of the production system.
The main subsistence crop are cassava, potatoes and maize. The main plantation crops are tobacco (which accounts for 60% of exports), sugar, pulses, tea and cotton. Fish from the lakes are essential sources of local food. There are small coal deposits which are mined (at Kaziwiziwi and Rumphi) and precious stones such as rubies and sapphires. The Kayelekera uranium mine is inactive. The main industrial centre is Blantyre which has chemical, textile, cement and tobacco plants, as well as breweries. A cement factory is active at Kasungu. Other industrial sectors include, sugar, paper and wood.